Motor Authority - blog Category: X5-Series

We have seen photos of the facelifted version of the BMW X5 before, but now we can show the vehicle completely undisguised ahead of its expected debut by the end of this year--albeit, in computer-generated form. The second-generation E70 X5 model was introduced in late 2006 so a facelift around the end of the decade is right on cue for the SUV’s mid-cycle update, coming in just in time for the 2010 model year.

Changes to the X5’s styling will be subtle, with new bumpers added both front and rear as revealed by these latest spy shots. Larger air intakes in the front fascia are the primary change. Slight styling revisions inside,...

We have seen photos of the facelifted version of the BMW X5 before, but now we can show the vehicle completely undisguised ahead of its expected debut by the end of this year--albeit, in computer-generated form. The second-generation E70 X5 model was introduced in late 2006 so a facelift around the end of the decade is right on cue for the SUV’s mid-cycle update, coming in just in time for the 2010 model year. Changes to the X5’s styling will be subtle, with new bumpers added both front and rear as revealed by these latest spy shots. Larger air intakes in the front fascia are the primary change. Slight styling revisions inside, such as the addition as BMW’s second-generation iDrive system, and new alloy wheel designs should also make the cut. The current lineup of engines will carry over largely unchanged but there will be the new hybrid model. Another new addition will be the xDrive 50i complete with the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 from the X6. So, when will the facelifted BMW X5 be unveiled? The most likely point would be next year’s Detroit Auto Show in January but an earlier reveal at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show in December cannot be discounted. Read More

Some things are too ridiculous, too horrendous or just too stupid to bear full explanation with words alone. The case of one North Toronto BMW X5 driver is a bit of all three, as the video below shows. Epic parking failure alert!

Before you think me too harsh a critic, consider that the driver not only caused what appears to be fairly expensive if not significant structural damage to at least two parked cars.

That driver--well-heeled enough to be at the wheel of an X5 entering a gym parking lot--then backs up, ponders the situation and decides to take off without leaving so much as a note on the windshields of the damaged cars. All that's...

Some things are too ridiculous, too horrendous or just too stupid to bear full explanation with words alone. The case of one North Toronto BMW X5 driver is a bit of all three, as the video below shows. Epic parking failure alert! Before you think me too harsh a critic, consider that the driver not only caused what appears to be fairly expensive if not significant structural damage to at least two parked cars. That driver--well-heeled enough to be at the wheel of an X5 entering a gym parking lot--then backs up, ponders the situation and decides to take off without leaving so much as a note on the windshields of the damaged cars. All that's missing is the sped-up footage being set to the Benny Hill theme song. Parking fail? For sure. Humanity fail? Yes again. But humor fail? Not even close. [YouTube via BoingBoing] Read More

We have seen photos of the facelifted version of the BMW X5 before, but now we can show the vehicle almost completely undisguised ahead of its expected debut by the end of this year. The second-generation E70 X5 model was introduced in late 2006 so a facelift around the end of the decade is right on cue for the SUV’s mid-cycle update, coming in time for the 2010 model year.

Changes to the X5’s styling will be subtle, with new bumpers added both front and rear as revealed by these latest spy shots. Larger air intakes in the front fascia are the primary change. Slight styling revisions inside, such as the addition as BMW’s...

We have seen photos of the facelifted version of the BMW X5 before, but now we can show the vehicle almost completely undisguised ahead of its expected debut by the end of this year. The second-generation E70 X5 model was introduced in late 2006 so a facelift around the end of the decade is right on cue for the SUV’s mid-cycle update, coming in time for the 2010 model year. Changes to the X5’s styling will be subtle, with new bumpers added both front and rear as revealed by these latest spy shots. Larger air intakes in the front fascia are the primary change. Slight styling revisions inside, such as the addition as BMW’s second-generation iDrive system, and new alloy wheel designs should also make the cut. The current lineup of engines will carry over largely unchanged but there will be the new hybrid model and U.S. customers will be able to opt for BMW’s brilliant 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine as well. Another new addition will be the xDrive 50i from the X6. So, when will the facelifted BMW X5 be unveiled? The most likely point would be next year’s Detroit auto show in January but an earlier reveal at this year’s Los Angeles auto show in November cannot be discounted. Read More

BMW is to offer a special edition of its popular X5 to mark the range’s 10-year production milestone. The new xDrive35d 10-Year Edition comes as standard in Sophisto Grey metallic paint with unique 20-inch Y-spoke light alloy wheels, aluminium exterior trim, aluminium roof rails, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Inside, customers are treated with specially designed ‘Comfort’ seats, anthracite headlining, Carrara Shades nappa leather and BMW Individual Piano Black trim. Additionally, ‘10-Year’ plaques are fitted to the front doors, front door sill plates and on the dashboard to add an extra touch of exclusivity.

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BMW is to offer a special edition of its popular X5 to mark the range’s 10-year production milestone. The new xDrive35d 10-Year Edition comes as standard in Sophisto Grey metallic paint with unique 20-inch Y-spoke light alloy wheels, aluminium exterior trim, aluminium roof rails, and a panoramic glass sunroof. Inside, customers are treated with specially designed ‘Comfort’ seats, anthracite headlining, Carrara Shades nappa leather and BMW Individual Piano Black trim. Additionally, ‘10-Year’ plaques are fitted to the front doors, front door sill plates and on the dashboard to add an extra touch of exclusivity. First shown at the North American International Auto Show in 1999, the BMW X5 was an instant hit and has since gone on to spawn a second-generation model. As for the latest X5 xDrive35d, BMW will be limiting availability of the model to only 2,000 units worldwide. Read More

Since as far back as 2000 Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S., a positioned it appeared the Toyota premium division would be to hold on for years to come. Despite top marks in dependability and satisfaction surveys, Lexus has conceded its number one spot to BMW based on year-to-date sales, and could be opening the door to the year-end tally as well.

The last time BMW was the top-selling luxury brand for a full year was back in 1997. This year, however, Lexus is suffering from a sales decline of 37.2%, according to data compiled by Autodata Corp. BMW sales are down this year as well but not as severely as those of Lexus,... Since as far back as 2000 Lexus has been the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S., a positioned it appeared the Toyota premium division would be to hold on for years to come. Despite top marks in dependability and satisfaction surveys, Lexus has conceded its number one spot to BMW based on year-to-date sales, and could be opening the door to the year-end tally as well. The last time BMW was the top-selling luxury brand for a full year was back in 1997. This year, however, Lexus is suffering from a sales decline of 37.2%, according to data compiled by Autodata Corp. BMW sales are down this year as well but not as severely as those of Lexus, with the German automaker’s figures dipping 30.5% to 76,819 for the first five months of the year, which is slightly ahead of Lexus's 73,186. "We have been seeing, all year, customers remain cautious, and when they shop for premium products, they are buying brands that have a history of value, dependability and enduring quality," BMW’s U.S. chief Jim O'Donnell told The Detroit News. "This has helped sales in our core 3-series, 5-series and X5 range." Toyota Motor Sales' John McCandless was somewhat less optimistic with his commentary. "Volumes can vary," he said. "Meeting the needs of our customers is what's important." The battle for 2009 is not over however, as Lexus has recently launched its new RX SUV and the new HS 250h compact hybrid is also due to hit the streets in coming months. The worst performance luxury brands, incidentally, were Bentley and Maybach, both of which are experiencing sales declines in excess of 60%. A host of other luxury brands are outperforming the market too, reports Automotive News. Audi, Jaguar-Land Rover, and Porsche have all picked up market share as part of a European surge to 8.5% of the market from last year's 7.4%. Read More

There's a reason stunt drivers are at the wheel of the supercars in those high-speed chase scenes, and it's not just that the actors can't be trusted behind the wheel. It turns out weaving in and out of traffic, even when in a controlled environment, can be dangerous. A wreck of a Ferrari into a Times Square store front on Tuesday followed by an X5 jumping a curb into a crowd of people today illustrates that point sharply.

The film, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', will star Nicholas Cage when it debuts in summer 2010. It tells the highly plausible story of a student that's brought in to work for a sorcerer. Apparently the conjurer's skills... There's a reason stunt drivers are at the wheel of the supercars in those high-speed chase scenes, and it's not just that the actors can't be trusted behind the wheel. It turns out weaving in and out of traffic, even when in a controlled environment, can be dangerous. A wreck of a Ferrari into a Times Square store front on Tuesday followed by an X5 jumping a curb into a crowd of people today illustrates that point sharply. The film, 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice', will star Nicholas Cage when it debuts in summer 2010. It tells the highly plausible story of a student that's brought in to work for a sorcerer. Apparently the conjurer's skills don't include spells for safety, driving skills, or an injury-free workplace. Todays accident injured 9 people after the BMW X5 driven by Laura Conti struck a parked car and jumped the curb, reports the AP. No one was seriously hurt, but the second accident in as many days has people on the set speculating about a possible 'curse'. Yesterday's accident involved much more property damage. Running quickly through traffic on wet asphalt down the middle of New York's Times Square, the F430 simply lost traction at the rear and slowly spun about 90 degrees as the driver tried to regain control. Unable to stop in time on the compromised surface, the car ran up the curb and made impact with a pole and the front of a store. All of the cars involved were part of the movie shoot. One pedestrian was hit by the falling pole and was injured on the head, while another's foot was hurt. Neither was seriously wounded. Read More